Your living room is the most used and frequented room in your home and should be designed and laid out for just that purpose. A living room is used for you to gather family and friends, relax, read,  watch your favorite tv shows, and entertain. 

It is usually the largest room in the house and, more often than not, is located somewhere in the center, often filled to the brim with furniture, a television, a surround sound system or entertainment center, rugs, couches, photographs, ornaments, and more.

This is why it is important that you pay close attention to a certain number of design techniques and practical considerations when you do decide to redecorate it and redesign the flow of this very important room in the house. 

The Living Room Layout

The layout of your living room is of the utmost importance, and the furniture that it keeps will essentially determine the traffic flow in and around the room. The space between the furniture is a space that you want to keep clear of obstructions so that you can avoid any unnecessary traffic jams. 

Even if you have a relatively small living room area, you want to avoid moving all the furniture to the outskirts and corners of the room, as this will take attention and focus away from the all-important center coffee table or ottoman that you place there. 

A living room has a rather particular appeal, and being shared and frequented by all members of the family, it may be a good idea to create within it little pockets of space that offer multiple uses for all to enjoy.

Where to Start

The place to start designing and decorating your living room is with your inspiration. Research the most functional and economic solutions for your project and go from there. Homesdirect365.co.uk is a great place for you to get amazing ideas and functional concepts around layout and design, not forgetting its incredible living room furniture.

Does your living room offer your family what it needs? Does it cater to the needs of each individual family member, or is it used as more of a single-purpose space in your home? These are the kinds of questions that need consideration and the ones that are going to give you a better idea of what it is that you need in your home.

Try to plan the future life that you have in mind. Are the kids getting older, or are you just starting your family? These considerations will give you a better idea of what you need in the future and will prevent you from having to rearrange your living room every time a change happens.

Your Personal Color Palette

Depending on what you have to work with, whether it is a dark space or something lighter, your color palette is a reflection of your personality. Introducing new colors to your living room should reflect your personality accurately, as well as do justice to the room itself.

The colors that you choose to use in your living room do more than just add personality. They can make the room feel bigger or smaller, all depending on how you use them, of course. In conjunction with the feel of the room, dark colors may be ideal for creating an intimate, movie theater-type feel.

Conversely, using lighter colors will make your space look bigger and give the room a more lively and upbeat appearance. Perfect for reading, socializing, or entertaining lunchtime guests. Do not be afraid to let your hair down and have a little fun with it.

Don’t Let the Walls Close in on You

The walls in your living room are a major part of the overall scheme and look that you are trying to accomplish. They cannot be easily overlooked. After all, they are the one thing that is the most difficult to re-arrange. 

Now when it comes to using your walls to your advantage, there are many options that are available to you. You can paint them all one color to create a certain look and feel, paint each one a different color, or use wallpaper or a combination of the two to really get some eccentricity into the room.

More than that, adding furniture to the walls is always a good bet. How about adding some storage space or a few places to display your family photos and other treasured ornaments? Artworks and paintings will also go a long way to creating a space that is lively and attractive to be in.

Mixing and Matching is Best

The best way to decorate your living room is by mixing and matching what works best for that space, not forgetting about your personal taste and preferences. Comfort, style, practicality, traditional or contemporary, your choice is what makes all the difference. 

When choosing your furniture, make sure that you pay some attention to the scale and dimensions that need to be considered. Deep-seated furniture for lounging and watching movies, sofas for the kids to sprawl out all over, or chairs and single-seater couches that are higher and firmer for when the grandparents come to visit.

Your lighting and color scheme play an important role as well, not forgetting that the walls, carpets, and rugs add alternate dimensions to the overall lighting effect. Textured wallpapers can add the necessary pop to the theme you are trying to create, while plush pillows can do the same. Adding them together can be a real treat.

Adding blankets and throws adds a homely feel, while the living room book storage shelf gives the room something that stands out and makes itself noticeable. These are just some of the things that you can rely on to make your space uniquely your own and one-of-a-kind. 

Shaping and changing the look of your living room is a project that you really can sink your teeth into. It allows you to create the ideal space for your family to live, relax, play, and entertain in.